The Chiefs vs Saders, Brumbies vs Reds and Sharks vs Bulls are the obvious crackers, with a multitude of ramifications depending on the results, but it’s that sneaky little visit to Bloem by the low riding and injury ravaged Stormers team that catches the eye for me … Win, and they are in the mix for a top of the podium finish, lose and they could be playing for a spot in the top six in their final match against the Rebels! Especially if all of the Brumbies, Bulls and Saders win their respective matches! And it’s not as if they were massively convincing last weekend against the lowly Lions …Teams announced thus far:

The Queensland Reds will wear a unique indigenous jersey in Friday night’s must-win match against the Highlanders. It’s been seen in the NRL and the AFL, now it will be worn for the first time in Super Rugby. Unveiled on Monday by artist Stephen Hogarth, the jerseys will also be individually signed and auctioned after the match to raise funds for the Reds’ indigenous program. Hogarth’s artwork, titled ‘You Belong’, represents community, the sharing of knowledge and the development of young leaders.

The Faingaa twins model the jersey

Writing in the NZ Herald, rugby writer Chris Rattue jotted down the following observations that I found of interest, hinting that he and his fellow Kiwis have also now had enough of Bryce’s ineptness …

Cinderella stormed the ball in Christchurch thanks to a nice fairy godmother who looked a lot like referee Bryce Lawrence.

The rise-from-the-ashes Hurricanes caused a gigantic upset by knocking over the heavyweight Crusaders with both teams a little below full strength. What a game, largely because of the shock result. What a result, thanks to the referee and his non-assisting assistants.

But come on troops. The Crusaders were completely dudded on the obstruction front. Neither of the Hurricanes’ two tries, scored by Conrad Smith, were legitimate. Both were Crusaders penalties unawarded. Lawrence either kicked the rule book into touch or was blinded by the Smith halo.

FRANKLY, SOMETHING’S AMISS

Always keeping an eye out for news on the flat eared folk, it was also interesting to note Rattue’s take on the Crusaders handing of the legendary Frank’s brothers …

A baffling thing to my mind is why Todd Blackadder leaves Owen Franks, the best tighthead scrum merchant in world rugby, on the bench. His brother Ben is decent in the scrums and very active around the field, but Owen Franks would have demolished and demoralised the Hurricanes pack. There is a lack of hard-nosed test-type attitude in how Blackadder uses the Franks.

4 Comments

Hi Tank: With regards to Rattue’s take on the brothers Frank, it is interesting to see that Owen is in fact playing loosehead this weekend and not tighthead as Rattue suggested that he should. I think the choice of both brothers in the starting XV is the correct call. Both props of the Chiefs are short(ish) and the taller Crockett might have “struggled” a little against Ben Tameifuna. My 2 cents